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The FTC is Seeking Public Comments to Potential Update to its Green Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. Tens of millions of new built clone cartridges from Asia are labeled as remanufactured and sold as a recycle product in the United States. Illicit sellers of these cartridges are using recycling logos and making unsubstantiated claims about recyclability of printer cartridges which is against the LAW! This deceptive and mischaracterization of these printer cartridges have destroyed the U.S. printer cartridge remanufacturing industry and continue to undercut sellers of legitimate remanufactured cartridges.
The FTC is seeking public comments on potential updates and changes to the Green Guides for the Use of Environmental Claims. The Commission’s Green Guides help marketers avoid making environmental marketing claims that are unfair or deceptive under section 5 of the FTC Act. It is crucial the FTC updates its Green Guides to define terminology used in our industry under “Recyclable” and “Recycled Content” so manufacturers and sellers can’t easily make deceptive marketing claims.
For example, Amazon allows their sellers to use the term “compatible” to characterize its product as a new built printer cartridge and “remanufactured” as a used cartridge that has been refilled in its listing policy for categorizing ink and toners. Amazon sellers use the terms interchangeably and it is deceptive.
This example is an Amazon Seller identifying its product as replacement cartridges, but an image in their listing claims they are remanufactured. All cartridges are replacements, but not all are remanufactured.
eBay uses different terms such as “refurbished” in multiple variations for describing a product. Click here to see their term definitions. We urge everyone to submit a public comment to the FTC to identify and define the terms below in their Green Guides related to “recyclable and recycled content”:
• Remanufacturing
• Refurbished
• Reconditioned
• Restored
• Environmentally FriendlyWithout a clear definition of correct terminology as it relates to a printer cartridge’s recyclability or its recycled content it leaves the interpretation as to how these terms are used by manufacturers, sellers, and online ecommerce platforms. Clear definition will help stop the false advertising and mischaracterization of printer cartridges. This hurts everyone except those who break the law!
If you have a new built clone cartridge that claims to be remanufactured, has a recycling logo, or an icon that indicates not throw cartridge in the trash, take a picture, and share it with your FTC public comments. Point out manufacturers of your printer cartridge can’t substantiate their claims of recyclability or recycled content.
Below are images of new built clone cartridges labeled as remanufactured and sold on Amazon as a recycled product with symbols identifying their recyclability.
New built clone cartridges labeled as remanufactured and sold as a recycled product not only increases plastic waste, as these cartridges are not being remanufactured, but it deceives consumers into purchasing these products. To produce a new built clone cartridge, manufacturers use up fossil fuels and increase greenhouse gases. Show the FTC the evidence and tell them to take action!
It’s Time To Speak Up! We need to take action now! Click here to post your comments! https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/20/2022-27558/guides-for-the-use-of-environmental-marketing-claims
Deadline to post comments is February 21, 2023.
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